ODOT To Distribute Bicycle Helmets To Ohio Children!

The Ohio Department of Transportation and their partnership with The Ohio Chapter of the American Pediatrics have developed the “Put A Lid On It!” campaign.

In the state of Ohio, bicycles are considered vehicles that carry the same rights to roadways as a moving car. In an effort to ensure the safety of children and families, the campaign pushes the importance of utilizing helmets. According to reports, from 2018 to 2019, about 200 Ohioans were killed while riding bicycles. In, the last five years, 12% of these bicycle related deaths involved children between the ages of 5 and 14.

This spring, the “Put A Lid On It!” campaign will distribute bicycle helmets to 9,000 children statewide! A competitive application process was implemented and local law enforcement agencies, school programs and community organizations were selected to receive helmets based on need.

ODOT purchased the helmets with a generous $12,000 grant donation from Honda of Marysville and will distribute them throughout the state of Ohio free of charge.

The ultimate goal of the campaign is to keep more children safe while riding their bikes, and helping to reduce bicycle related injuries and fatalities.

For the last 11 years, ODOT has annually donated $4 million into the Safe Routes to School program, helping to improve road crossings and build safer sidewalks.